Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Russia's trade profile reflects its identity as a resource-exporting, manufacturing-importing economy. Sanctions (post-2014, post-2022) have redirected flows but not fundamentally altered this structure.
| Category | Key Products | Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Fuels | Crude oil, refined products, natural gas, coal | ~60% | Oil: #2 global exporter; Gas: #1 pipeline, #4 LNG |
| Metals | Gold, nickel, aluminum, copper, platinum, steel | ~12% | Norilsk Nickel, Rusal, Polyus; critical for global supply chains |
| Chemicals | Fertilizers (potash, nitrogen), plastics, inorganic chemicals | ~6% | Top global fertilizer exporter; food security implications |
| Wood & Paper | Sawn timber, pulp, paper, plywood | ~3% | Largest forest area; ~20% global timber trade |
| Machinery/Equipment | Nuclear reactors, turbines, arms, vehicles | ~3% | Rosatom (nuclear), Rosoboronexport (arms #2 globally) |
| Agricultural | Wheat (#1 exporter), barley, sunflower oil, fish | ~5% | Black Sea grain corridor critical |
| Gemstones | Diamonds (Alrosa #1 global) | ~2% |
| Category | Key Products | Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinery & Equipment | Industrial machinery, computers, electronics, turbines | ~25% | High-tech dependency; Western/Asian sourcing |
| Vehicles & Parts | Cars, trucks, auto parts | ~10% | Domestic auto (AvtoVAZ) relies on imported components |
| Pharmaceuticals | Packaged medicines, vaccines, APIs | ~7% | ~70% import-dependent; localization efforts |
| Chemical Products | Specialty chemicals, plastics, rubber | ~8% | Feedstock for domestic petrochemicals |
| Food & Agricultural | Fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, coffee, tea | ~7% | Climate-limited; citrus, tropical, counter-seasonal |
| Textiles & Apparel | Clothing, footwear, fabrics | ~4% | Consumer demand; domestic light industry declined |
| Optical/Medical Instruments | Diagnostic equipment, precision instruments | ~3% | High-tech; Western/Japanese dominance |
Russia's trade remains structurally asymmetric: the world needs its resources; it needs the world's technology. Sanctions intensify but don't erase this interdependence.